PBS LEARNINGMEDIA OFFERS FREE RESOURCES TO HELP TEACHERS DRIVE INVENTION AND INNOVATION IN CLASSROOMS NATIONWIDE ON DIGITAL LEARNING DAY

Educators and Students Invited to Participate in Digital Learning Day Activities

ARLINGTON, VA, January 28, 2014 – In celebration of the third annual national Digital Learning Day on February 5, PBS LearningMedia has released the “Be Inspired. Be an Innovator” collectionof free resources designed to inspire innovation in preK-12 classrooms and beyond. PBS LearningMedia will also host several online events featuring leaders in innovation, tips and tools to foster students’ critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration skills.

The collection includes dozens of videos, documentaries and lesson plans that explore creative and critical skills needed to develop products and processes that impact daily life. A range of topics including green technology, the role of science in the economy, and inventions – from Galileo’s telescope to the electric car is covered in the collection. In addition, a special video and infographic have been created as reference guides to introduce and encourage innovation skills.

“More than ever before, educators are turning to digital technology and media to engage students and fuel learning,” said Alicia Levi, Vice President, PBS LearningMedia. “Leading up to Digital Learning Day, PBS LearningMedia is thrilled to showcase a robust collection of resources and events to inspire students to become 21st Century innovators.”

As part of PBS LearningMedia’s ongoing commitment to offering educators with free professional development opportunities, teachers are invited to participate in three virtual events:

·“Be Inspired. Be an Innovator” webinar ­– February 4, 2014; 6pm ET

Get practical tips, tools and resources to foster a culture of innovation in this educator-focused webinar. Speakers will address how 21st Century skills apply to innovation and how these skills can be cultivated through targeted lessons and curricula.

Join PBS NewsHour correspondent Hari Sreenivasn and leaders in innovation from Google and Code.org for hands-on tips and stories to inspire students in grades 6-12 to set goals and become the next generation of innovators.

·“Where Policy Meets Practice”– February 5, 2014; 2:30- 3:30 pm ET

PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff will moderate a discussion with district leaders from Talladega County, Alabama as part of the national Digital Learning Day. The event will be simulcast from the Library of Congress.

More than 1.4 million educators have registered to use the award-winning PBS LearningMedia service, which is available nationwide and is aligned to National and Common Core State Standards. For more information and to register for a free account, visit www.pbslearningmedia.org.

About PBS LearningMediaAs America’s largest classroom, teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS LearningMedia, a partnership of PBS and WGBH Educational Foundation, is a free media-on-demand service offering educators access to the best of public media and delivers research-based, classroom-ready digital learning experiences to engage students in exploring curriculum concepts that align with National and Common Core State Standards. Nationwide, more than 1.4 million teachers have registered access to more than 35,000 digital resources available through PBS LearningMedia. More information about PBS LearningMedia is available at www.pbslearningmedia.org or by following PBS LearningMedia on Twitter and Facebook.